Drive to extend ban on ‘anti-social’ car meets
A BAN on ‘anti-social’ car cruising events has been ‘entirely successful’ and should be kept, a town hall chief says.
Petrolheads would regularly gather to parade their souped-up motors and meet fellow enthusiasts at gatherings in Stockport town centre.
But the ‘Max Power’ events at Heaton Lane and Newbridge Lane car parks drew complaints of noise-nuisance, intimidation and dangerous driving – leading the council to introduce a clampdown on the activity.
The Public Space Protection Order (PSPO), which came into force in March 2017, prohibits car cruising anywhere in the borough – as well as related activities such as racing, performing stunts or repeatedly sounding horns. Those breaching the order can be hit with fines, which the council says has had a ‘deterrent effect’ – as have warnings sent to would-be organisers of events.
The PSPO will expire in March 2020 and the public is now being asked whether it should be renewed for a further three years.
Prior to its introduction, enthusiasts denied claims of noise nuisance and more than 700 people signed a petition calling for the meet-ups to get a permanent home.
But Coun Sheila Bailey, cabinet member for Sustainable Stockport, believes the case for keeping the ‘entirely successful’ ban in place is undeniable. She says the events were having a ‘very bad’ impact on businesses in the town centre and residents were finding it difficult to park legitimately due to the gatherings.
“It was causing disruption within the town centre, there was noise nuisance and it was interfering with some of the local businesses,” said Coun Bailey.
“It was an anti-social problem that needed to be dealt with and the easiest, quickest and most effective way was to bring in a PSPO.
“Apart from one instance where there was an attempt to have some kind of event, it has been entirely successful.”
She added: “It’s done the job, there haven’t been any further problems and as far as I’m concerned it needs to be renewed and hopefully it will be.”
The council has now launched its public consultation on the PSPO – and Coun Bailey says she can see no downside to keeping it in place.
She said: “The council’s job is to try and ensure, so far as is possible, that its residents can go about their normal work and businesses can operate and people aren’t disturbed in their own homes.”
Residents can have their say on the issue at https://consultation.stockport. gov.uk/